Just like saving for retirement or drawing up a will, planning your funeral pre-arrangements is a responsible act of foresight that allows you to live fully in the present.
In this article, discover 5 reasons why it’s a good idea to plan your funeral pre-prearrangements before the age of 60, as well as the concrete benefits you’ll gain by thinking about it now.
What are funeral pre-arrangements?
Funeral pre-arrangements involve defining the elements of the memorial rituals and resting place of the person planning them. This process includes:
- Choice of disposal (cremation, burial, etc.).
- Type of funeral ceremony (religious, secular, etc.).
- Resting place (cemetery, columbarium, scattering forest, etc.).
- Administrative and financial aspects of funeral services.
Urgel Bourgie / Athos pre-arrangement consultants can put their expertise at your service to assist you in this planning process.
Why plan funeral pre-arrangements before age 60?
There are many advantages to planning your funeral pre-arrangements sooner rather than later, both personally and financially. Here are 5 reasons to start planning before age 60:
1. Make informed, well-considered decisions
Planning your funeral pre-arrangements when you’re in good health allows you to make informed choices. Before the age of 60, we generally have the clarity of mind and autonomy to consider different scenarios and make decisions that reflect our values.
By starting early, it will also be easier to explain your choices to your loved ones. This way, you can reassure them and avoid potential problems of understanding in the future.
2. Protect your family from an emotional and logistical burden
At the time of a passing, loved ones have to make complex decisions in a short space of time, while at the same time being faced with a heavy emotional burden. Lack of planning can lead to family conflict, doubt and even guilt.
Funeral pre-arrangements help to avoid these tensions within your family. By taking charge of these details, you can spare your loved ones considerable stress and provide them with clear guidelines to follow when the time comes.
3. Communicating your wishes and ensuring they are respected
One of the main goals of pre-arrangements is to ensure that the actions taken after your passing faithfully reflect your wishes and values. This may include the type of ceremony you wish to have, the burial site, the texts to be read or the symbolic gestures to be made.
By clearly documenting your choices, you ensure that they will be carried out according to your wishes. You remain in control of this final stage of your life’s journey, for a last farewell in your own image.
4. Benefit from the best rates while avoiding future price increases
Funeral planning offers you a significant financial advantage: price freezes. When you make your funeral pre-arrangements, you benefit from today’s rates on services offered in the future. Your investment, placed in trust, is protected from increases in the cost of living.
At Urgel Bourgie / Athos, we offer:
- Flexible financing plans that respect your budget.
- Staggered payment terms, so you can spread your costs over several months or years.
- Personalized services tailored to your financial reality.
By planning your funeral pre-arrangements earlier, you’ll have more time to finance them, and you avoid inflation.
5. Preserving your family’s legacy
In the absence of funeral pre-arrangements, your family may have to use their inheritance to cover the cost of your passing, even if you have life insurance. Life insurance can be used to settle certain debts or obligations but does not automatically cover the cost of funeral services.
By planning your funeral pre-arrangements now, you can ensure that the legacy you’ve carefully built for your loved ones will return to them in its entirety.
Funeral pre-arrangements: an act of foresight
There’s nothing somber about planning your funeral pre-arrangements before the age of 60: it’s a thoughtful, responsible act that contributes to your well-being and that of your loved ones. It’s also a way of affirming your values and living life to the full, knowing that everything has been carefully thought out and organized.
The Urgel Bourgie / Athos team of funeral experts is here to guide you on your journey. Contact us to make an appointment with one of our pre-arrangement consultants and plan your future with confidence.
FAQ (frequently asked questions)
What is the minimum age for funeral pre-arrangements?
There is no official age for planning funeral pre-arrangements. However, many people choose to do so in their fifties or even earlier. This allows you to act with discernment and make informed decisions.
How much do funeral pre-arrangements cost?
Costs vary according to the services chosen. Funeral pre-arrangements allow you to take advantage of today’s rates for services rendered later, while benefiting from flexible payment terms.
Can my wishes be changed?
Yes. Your pre-arrangements are fully modifiable for as long as you live. This flexibility allows you to revisit certain decisions as your preferences or circumstances change.
Will my family be able to challenge my choices?
No. Your last wishes cannot be contested if they have been recorded in an official funeral pre-arrangements contract. Urgel Bourgie / Athos ensures that these decisions are rigorously respected, within a legal and transparent framework.